A senior delegation from the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has reaffirmed its strong partnership with Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), promising enhanced support in the ongoing battle against illicit drug trafficking. The high-level meeting took place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the NDLEA national headquarters in Abuja.
Strengthening a Vital Security Partnership
The visiting team was led by Philip Esch, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Liaison to the U.S. Africa Command. In his remarks, Esch emphasized that the relationship between the NDLEA and the U.S. DEA transcends a mere partnership, describing it as highly important to the U.S. government. He specifically praised the NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), for his exemplary leadership and openness to fostering international cooperation.
Commendations and Concrete Support Plans
Another key member of the delegation, James Elseth, expressed enthusiasm for supporting the NDLEA, citing the agency's tremendous work within Nigeria which has positive ripple effects on global security. Elseth applauded the NDLEA for its proper maintenance of equipment and facilities previously provided by the U.S. government, a sign of effective resource management.
More importantly, Elseth revealed concrete plans for future collaboration, assuring that two major projects are already in the works to further bolster the agency's capabilities. This enhanced support package is also set to include continued training programs and other forms of assistance, signaling a long-term commitment to the partnership.
NDLEA's Appreciation and Forward Outlook
In his response, Chairman Marwa expressed sincere gratitude for the visit and the sustained support from U.S.-AFRICOM. He took a moment to congratulate Philip Esch for his years of dedicated and meritorious service to the U.S. government. The meeting underscored a mutual understanding that the fight against drug trafficking is a shared global challenge requiring robust international alliances.
The discussions focused on identifying and expanding further areas of collaboration, ensuring that the partnership between AFRICOM and the NDLEA remains dynamic and effective in disrupting the operations of drug cartels and securing communities in Nigeria and beyond.
